Wrexham will face Exeter City in League One this weekend and could face a Welsh talent who departed the STōK Cae Ras in 2019.
Wrexham’s financial reports have sparked a real buzz around the off-pitch progress under Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
The focus immediately switches back to the League One promotion race this weekend though, with Wrexham heading to face Exeter City.
The Grecians lost 3-0 at the STōK Cae Ras earlier this season, with defender Jack McMillan admitting that Wrexham ‘bullied’ Exeter on that day.
Phil Parkinson would no doubt love a repeat this weekend, but Exeter have been in strong form of late, going unbeaten in the last six League One games.
Parkinson will be wary of Josh Magennis having looked into signing the striker last summer, but one Exeter man has real Wrexham ties.
Exeter’s Pat Jones set to face Wrexham
Wrexham fans may remember the name Pat Jones.
Winger Jones emerged in the Wrexham ranks, having previously spent time with Ruthin Town and Bala Town.
A Wrexham first-team debut never arrived for Jones, but only because he decided to leave for Huddersfield Town aged just 16.
Jones had started for Wrexham in a pre-season clash against Curzon Ashton, earning praise from boss Bryan Hughes as he spoke to The Leader.
Hughes and Wrexham seemingly had high hopes for Jones, but he clearly felt that his development was better-served at Huddersfield.
Jones earned a senior debut for the Terriers in January 2021, but only made 18 appearances for the club before being sold to Exeter City in August 2024.
Now 21, Jones has only started four League One games this season, having endured hamstring problems in the first half of the season.
Jones has featured more prominently in recent weeks but is still waiting to register his first goal or assist this season.
Many years after deciding to leave Wrexham, Jones is now in line to play against the club – and he could have a big say in Wrexham’s promotion hopes this weekend.
Wrexham hoping to avoid Pat Jones cases
Jones is not alone in terms of leaving Wrexham at a young age.
Danny Ward and Jonny Smith moved on as youngsters, whilst Nathan Broadhead was encouraged to leave Wrexham at a young age.
Neco Williams and Tom Lawrence slipped away, joining Premier League academies despite hailing from Wrexham.
Wrexham didn’t have the facilities or infrastructure to help these young players in years gone by, leading to them deciding to move on or choose other clubs.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds are now taking Wrexham forward, and the hope is that Wrexham will be able to develop top young players moving forward.
Max Cleworth is already shining in the Wrexham first team, but the aim is to produce more homegrown talent – and have few cases like Jones in the future.